About this Book

A primary-source reader for the U.S. history survey, The West in the History of the Nation extends coverage of the West--beyond the classic topics of the frontier and the Gold Rush--to relate local and regional developments to themes of national importance, such as slavery, Progressive era politics, and the atomic age. More than 120 diary entries, govemment documents, letters, editiorials, and unique visuals--including handbills, advertisements, and photographs--stimulate classroom discussion and expose students to the diverse people of the West and the frontier. Extensive editorial apparatus highlights the connection between western and national histories, teaches students to think critically, and addresses the eastern bias often found in U.S. survey textbooks.